Gun primer mechanism



Sept- 27, 1949. J. R. @Ln/ER 2,482,865

GUN PRIMER MECHANISM Filed July 2o, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept' 27, 1949- J. R. OLIVER GUN PRIMER MECHANISM 2 Shee'oS-SheeiI 2 AFiled July 2o, 1945 Inl/enfer TzR. Oliver Patented Sept. 27, 1949 uNireosTA'ras rAraNr orti-ce `,h e Machinery Corporation, a corporation ot New Jersey Iler'riii.Intiml Ll Application .lilly 2.0, 1945, Serial No., Smiling 8 Claims.. (CL. {5B-2 7.)

This invention relatesfte primer mechanisms oi ordnance which nroiectes are separate from the powder charge. as distinct. from ordnance usingv ein..1;1..nnitlon` With medium or larger sise sans using Seharate loading ammunition. the breech member must be provided withseme means of preventingpowder gases from nassine to the rear into the threads and other accurately made no1-ts of the breech mechanism.v The erosite power or such gases is such that a gun would soon he rendered; useless if a. sealing means were not made effec? tive. However, such sealing means must aiord a passage for the name of the primer to pass through to the powder charge of the gun. The invention is more especially although not exclus. sively intended for use Vas a primer mechanism to he mounted upon `a hreechbiocli carrier, the latter being adapted to support the breechbloek in both swinging and rotative motion dur-ing opening and closing of the breech. In such an installation, the breechhlock is provided with an' obturator- (or theV de BangeV type) having an axial vent for the primer ilame and the rear portion of the obturator ventneoessarily has associated therewith a primer mechanism which is as reliable, convenient and close-.fitting as possible in operation. In an ordnance'installation of this character a considerable force is required to urge a primer shell tightly into the tapered chamber of the supporting plug thus assuring no gas leakage. A considerable foroeis also required to withdraw or eject a` spent lprimer sheli.

It is an object orfthe'present invention to provide an improved primer mechanism mounted on a breeohblock carrier in which mechanism a single swing of an'operating handle will positively and rmly enclose a primer in position for firing without gas leakage.

Another object-is to provide an outstanding control handle for Vconveniently operating a swinging Wedge whereby 4a primer may be tightly inserted into cooperative relation with a breech mechanism vand which handle may be lathed to maintain the relation.

Still another object is to provide a simple and positive ejector for use with a swinging'primer mechanism attachable to a hreechhlock carrier` Another object is to provide a safety mechanism whereby the primer mechanism will be in firing position only when the breech. is properly closed. v 1

Still another object. is to provide ordnance With a brecchbloch obtilrator and primer mech anismi mounted upon' a carrier which carrier a locking means is incorporated to. lock the primer mechanism from lining position. unless the breech is fully closed, t

the purposes in. rien., and. in accordance with, various features. of the. invention. the illustrated mechanism .is shown in cssenihled'asso- @lation with an ohturatorand hreeohblocl; car.-`

rier or conventional type, e ieature, oi the inven-n Y tion consists in a wedge-like member swlnsinsly mounted into and. away from a latclicd. operative position on the brecchhlocls carrier ha means of an outstanding; handle carrying the rlne mechf Another ieeture is er. ejector which is mounted on the breechhlocls carrier and whichk is com operated by movement. of. an outstanding hanclle containing the iirine mechanism. Still another features? thointention comprises a stop member on the primer mechanism arranged to cooperate-with a member ortho breechblock carrier whereby the primer mechanism is prevented from enter-ing its ellerative position on the loreecliblock carrier when: the breech is onen.

'lille above other tentures of the. invention includinsnevei details-oi construction and coin-v hinations of parts will nowhe more Particularly described in connection with the accompanying drawings. and pointe@ out in. the claims.

In the drawings,

Eis.. 1. is a nien view,- rerticllr in sectionl of the primer mechanism installed on a gun With a cimventionai hrecohhlocls otturatore Fie. 2 is a sido elevational View of the primer mechanism handle;

et vlila. 3 is s sectional View alone the line l-'l-III primer `meclfitmisrn of Ele. 1 with the ejector mechanism emitted;

Fig, 'Z is a lihe! View alone the line VII-VII 0f Fie, 4;.

Fig-` 8 iS a, Sectional View along the line VIII- VIII ci Fiel: and

Eis.. 9 is a. sectional View along the line iX--IX ln medium er large size'guns it is well known to to use an obturation with a breechblcck l0 and e gun tube Il, as shown in Fig. 1, which obturator comprises a steel mushroom head I2 against which the force of the explosion longitudinally of the gun is exerted, a resilient or elastic pad I4, split rings I5, a steel disk I6, and a spindle I8. An obturator of this type is fitted within the breechblock I and pressure of the gases against the mushroom head I2, upon firing, compresses the elastic pad I4 and also presses the split rings I5 surrounding the spindle against the walls of the bore and spindle, thus effectually preventing leakage. to rotate independently of the obturator parts and, because of this, any sticking yof an Aobturator to its seat in the gun tubeI'I will not interfere with the rotation of the block I0 when opening the breech. After proper rotationV of a breechblock I0 to disengage the usual interrupted threads I9, the block I0. and obturator may be readily Withdrawn fromthe gun tube Il. An obturator spindle I8 of this type is provided with a vent 20 passing through its full length, permitting passage of a llame from a primer 22 to the powder charge of the gun. A sleeve 24 forms a pintle upon Which the `breechblock may rotate and this sleeve 24 forms a part of the breechblock carrier 25 which supports the breechblock for movement into and away from the gun. The spindle I8 is keyed at 23 to the sleeve 24 preventing the spindles rotation with respect thereto. A helical spring 26 serves to hold the obturator rmly in place within the breechblock I0 and is located in a recess of the sleeve 24 surrounding the spindle I8 and bearing against an inserted primer mechanism generally indicated as 28 in Fig. 1. The primer mechanism 28 here spoken of presents the subject matter of this invention. The breechblock operating mechanism herein disclosed is of conventional form and utilizes a shaft 30 rotatively mounted in the breechblock carrier 25 and provided with a flange 32 notched at one portion 34 of its circumference for engagement with a sliding block 36; The flange 32 is integral with the shaft 30 and also with an eccentric member 38 having a crank pin 40 rotatable in a cylindrical member v42 inserted within the breechblock I0. The sliding block 36 carries a pin or stop means 44 and is urged toward the axis of the breechblock bya spring 46. A plate 48 is attached to the carrier 25 and is provided with a slot 50, permitting motion of the pin 44. The plate 48 is pinned atr52 (Figs. 1 and 8) to aY split ring 54 surrounding the primer mechanism. It is to be understood that the carrier 25, including the shaft 30, block 36, plate 48 and ring 54 are all conventional details of a modern breech mechanism. A pin shorter than the pin 44 is usually used and the longer pin 44 has been substituted to serve a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The primer mechanism 2 8, constituting the subject matter of the present invention, comprises a cylindrical member 60 which may be easily mounted or demounted from the obturator spindle |8. The demountable member 60 is adapted to extend coaxially with the obturator and in close fitting relation within the recess of sleeve or pintle 24 and has a shoulder 62 against which the spring 26 may bear.' Interrupted nonhelical elements 64 (with no lead) are provided within the cylindrical portion 60 to directly engage with and disengage from cooperatingr interrupted elements on the end of the spindle I8. A hollow exteriorly threaded nut 66 is slotted at 6l whereby it maybe turned within the portion 60, one end Breechblocks are conventionally jmounted 4 the spindle |8 as a positive stop. As the elements 64 have no lead, the end 68 serves as a stop deter-4 mining the innermost position of the primer' mechanism both before and after the elements 64 are engaged. The nut 66 also serves as a supporting means for a cylindrical member, plug or nipple 'I0 which is borednto serve as a holding means (suitably tapered) for the primer 22 and is threaded upon a reduced portion at 12 for attachment to the spindle I8. The cylindrical portion 60 has an arm 80 integral therewith, extending laterally* and pivotally supporting a bracket B4? on a pin 82. Within the cylindrical portion 603 are formed grooves or guiding means 86, 88 (Fig.

1) by means of which a block or wedge portion 90 is guided in an arcuate path upon being moved .with the bracket 84 about the pin 82. The flanges guided within the grooves 86 and 88 are parts of the bracket 84 and are adapted to swing therewith. The wedge portion 90 is in alinement with the breechblock and the primer when in firing position and has a slanting surface 92 (Fig. 6) designed to exert a wedge-like action upon the primer 22 to urge the primer into firing position upon an upward movement of the block 90. The block 90 also has a cylindrical portion 94 (Fig. 6)Y extending therefrom which is recessed to contain the firing mechanism. This portion 94, the bracket 04 and the parts surrounding the portion; 94 may be called the operating handle for the primer mechanism and this handle is generally indicated at 95. The handle 95 is in alinement with the primer when in firing position and as it is pivotally supported in the cylindrical member 60 (pin 82 is thepivot) it may be seen that it is always in parallel relation with the latter member. The firing mechanism comprises a ring pin 96 having a flanged end 98 against which a hammer |00 is adapted to strike. The firing pin 96 is biased away from the primer 22 by a spring |02. It can be seen lfrom Fig. 6 that the firing pin 96 has a very slight range of movement. The hammer |00 has a ange |04 which determines one limit of its range of movement and also has a cylindrical lip portion |06 adapted to be caught on a nger |08 of a sear ||0. The sear ||0 is pivoted at ||2 within a slot I3 of a sliding block I I 4 to which is attached a lanyard I I6. The block I I4 is slidable within a cylinder I I8 and is biased to the left in Fig. 6by a spring |20 under compression. A cylindrical member |22 serves as a stop for the block I4 and is provided with a fiange against which a-spring |24 bears. A pin |30 is slidably mounted in the block ||4, as shown in Fig. 6, and isfbiased toward the left by contact with one side of the spring |20. The left end of the vpin |30 engages a toe |32 on the scar |I0, tending to keep the finger |08 in latched engagement with the lipped member |06. The spring |20 bears at its right endin Fig. 6 against a tubular end piece |40 which is threaded at |42 into the cylindrical extension 94 of the block 90. The end piece |40 bears a saw cut as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 and a tapered screw I 44 is utilized to expand the end piece |40 Within the cylindrical portion 94. Surrounding the extension 94 is a sleeve |50 which is in threaded engagement with the bracket 84 and which bears a flange |52 retained by a ring |54 attached to the block 90 by screws or welding material. A ring |56 is tightly joined by swaging or otherwise to the sleeve |50. It may be'seen that by loosening the tapered screw |44, the end piece |40 and sleeveA |50 may be turned relative to each other. vThe axial position of the 68 of the nut being adapted to abut the end of 75 block 90 maybe adjusted by turning the sleeve t@ within the bracket 84. The. adjustment may be maintained by turning-the. end piece. |40 up against the ring 56 and expanding it by means ofthe screw Wt. The bracket 88 has stop means l with a slanting surface U60 arranged .to engage they pin` Mi as will be: hereinafter explained.

The ejectoris shown in Figs'. 4, 45 and 'l and includes an arm t6! pronged to engage. the flange on the primerI 22 and pivoted on a pin1|62 attached to a frange i64- ofthe cylindrical member 60.- The arm f6| is provided with a laterally slidable pin F66 (Figs. 5 and T) and the inner side ofthis pin is arranged to be engaged by -a cam surface on the front of a lug |58 attached' to the arm 84 when in the downward'movementofthe handlie 65V the primer shell is to be ejected. Onl the return or upward innoveinerit:civ the-handle 95 this npin |66 is pushed asideI bythe lateral surface. of

the lug |68. A spring |10 is mounted tobias the ejector lever |6| in clockwise direction, asV

shown in Fig. 7, and a second spring |12 is mounted, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7; to urge the pin V|56 toward the lug |68e At. thebottmn of the guideway 88 on the arm 80 of the cylindrical member 6.0 is located a.` stop pin |14 which serves as a limit or stop for the downward movement of the bracket 84 and the handle 95. The bracket 80 or thehandle 85 of which the-bracket is a part is provided with a latch or lever. |88 pivc-ted at 82 and biased by a spring member |84 `(Fig. 3) to bring a lip |86 intolatchingengagement with a lip |88 (Fig. 2) ofv the Ycylindrical member Si) when the handle 95 isI in its raised or operative position with respect to the breechblock carrier 25.

In installing theprimer `mechanism :upon a breechblock carrier the cylindrical member 60 is inserted Within the split ring 5d and the recess of the pintle 24 until stopped by the shoulder 88 (the nut 66 is considered a part of the primer mechanism) and is then rotated to complete interlocking of the elements 64 and is xed in that position by insertion of a stud |00 (Figs. 4 and 6) threaded into the pintle 24.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 6 a pull on the lanyard ||6 will cause the sear ||0 to pull the hammer |00 to the right, because of the finger |08, with a resulting coinpression of the spring |24. After a given distance has been traveled by the hammer a toe |94 on the sear ||0 will strike the cylinder ||8 and release the hammer |00 from the nger |08, resulting in the firing of the primer 22. Release of the lanyard ||6 again drops the finger |08 behind the lip |08 of the hammer |00. To eject the spent primer shell the handle 95 is lowered about the pin 82 an amount determined by the stop |14 and the action of the lug |68 through the pin |66 causes the lever |6| to throw the spent primer shell away from the piece. A new primer shell is then inserted within the plug 10 and the handle 85 of the bracket 84 is then brought up to the firing position as determined by a shoulder on the lever |80 striking against a stop 200 (Fig. 2) which is part of the cylindrical member 60. It is to be noted that the handle 85 cannot be brought up into ring position unless the pin 44 has passed to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. The pin 44 can only pass to the right when the sliding block 38 and iiange 32 are in interlocking relation and such relation exists only when the breechblock l0 is closed and the gun is ready for firing. The block 36 comprises a means for locking the breechblock closed when the handle 95 is in firing position. If the breechblock |0 is not completely closed the pin 44 will be positioned toward the left 6 with the result that. the. suriace mit will strikev the 44: and stop the risa ci the bracket 84 or handie e5 into operative position. rJlhis, safety fea.- tme prevents untimely operation of the primer mechanism such as accidental. ring of the primer possible explosion ci the main.- charge while the breechblock is open or not. fully and tightly closed.

cile pivotally supported on said cylindrical member and a major portion of the handle extending from and. in para-Blei relation with lthe cylindrical member, primer tiring means enclosed within the handle, and a wedge portion carried bythe handie for pressing a primer into said holding means upon swinging the handle.

2. YA primer mechanism for ordnance including a Vdemenintabl-'e cylindrical member with means for directly and coaxial-1y attaching the same to Aa breechblock obturator, a handle pivotally supspindle extending through the breechblock, a

primer mechanism including a demountable cylindrical member supporting a primer holder and having means of direct attachment to said obturator spindle, a handle pivotally supported on said cylindrical member, a firing pin and hammer mechanism Within said handle, a wedge portion on said handle for pressing a primer into said holder when the handle is swung on its pivot toward the holder, a stop means on said handle, and means on Vthe carrier movable into the path of said stop means when said breechblock is swung away from firing position, the stop means preventing untimely operation of the primer mechanism.

4. In ordnance, the combination with a carrier, of a breechblock mounted thereon, an obturator spindle extending through the breechblock, a primer mechanism including a demountable cylindrical member with means for directly attaching the same to said obturator spindle, an ejector lever mounted on said cylindrical member, a handle pivotally supported on said member including a ring pin and hammer m'echanism and carrying a wedge portion for pressing a primer into firing position when the handle is swung in one direction on its pivot, means attached to the handle for actuating the ejector lever to eject the primer when the handle is swung in the other direction, stop means on said handle, and a projecting means on the carrier which projecting means is movable into the path of said stop means by movement of the carrier mechanism from closed breech position thereby preventing untimely operation of the primer mechanism.

5. A primer mechanism, breechblock and obturator mounted upon a carrier arranged to move said 'breechblockand primer mechanism into rng position upon ordnance, said carrier being provided with means for locking the breechblock in closed breech position, the said primer mechanism including a cylindrical member directly attached to the obturator and in alinement therewith, a handle pivotally supported on said cylindrical member, primer firing means enclosed within said handle, a wedge portion on said handle for pressing a primer into firing position; and means on the handle for releasing the locking means when said handle is swung away from its firing position.

6. Ordnance including a breechblock and an obturator mounted upon a carrier adapted to move them into ring position and said carrier having shiftable means for locking the breechblock in firing position, a primer mechanism including a cylindrical member directly attached to the obturator, a handle pivotally supported on said member, primer ring means enclosed by said handle, and a wedge portion carried by said handle for pressing a primer into firing position, the handle having a stop means which is arranged to be intercepted in its -pivotal movement by the shiftable means when the breechblock is not in ring position thereby preventing untimely operation of the primer mechanism.

7. A primer mechanism for ordnance including a demountable cylindrical member with means for directly attaching the same to a breechblock obturator, means within said cylindrical member for holding a primer, a handle carrying firing mechanism and a wedge portion, said handle being ailixed to the end of an arm pivotally supported on an integral portion of said cylindrical member and saidarm being arranged to carry said firing mechanism and wedge portion into alinement with a primer opening on the primer holding means, and a latching means for holding the handle in ring position.

8. A primer mechanism for ordnance including a cylindrical member enclosing primer holding means and having interrupted nonhelical elements for direct attachment of said member to an obturator spindle, an arm extending from one side of said cylindrical member, a handle pivotally supported on said arm for motion into and away from a position of alinement with said holding means, said handle extending outwardly from said cylindrical member affording a hand-hold, primer firing mechanism enclosed in said handle, and a wedge portion carried by said handle positioned to move adjacent the primer holding means.

JOHN R. OLIVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Norway Oct. 20, 1913 

